Orpheum 2 Plectrum Banjo - Commission Sale

A truly beautiful and rare 4 string Plectrum banjo from New York's premier makers Rettberg and Lange. The fancy Super Orpheum 2 Plectrum banjo plays really nice with a low fast action. Quite a bit of fretwear but it doesn't affect the playability and tone of thebanjo

Individual serial Number:17068

More information about Orpheum banjos

Orpheum banjos were made by William Rettburg and William Lange, two music industry veterans who purchased the bankrupt Buckbee banjo company in 1897. In its day, Buckbee was the largest banjo maker in America, a firm that made instruments for Dobson, Benary, Farland, Bruno and perhaps a dozen more companies. The banjos made by Buckbee were primarily in what we think of as the minstrel style, with thin wooden shells, no metal tone rings and large, usually fretless necks. Rettburg and Lange had figured out early on that the instruments that Buckbee was making were quickly going out of fashion. By 1903 they had developed a simple tone ring that helped increase the banjo’s volume along with giving it brighter crisper tone. The Orpheum banjo proved to be a big success and by 1915, it was one of the most popular banjos styles in America.

Orpheum banjos came in a variety of styles including five-strings, banjo mandolins, plectrums and tenors, like today’s Catch. Orpheum banjos were very well made and they have a lighter, delicate tone than the instruments from Gibson and Epiphone that come out a few years later. The #3 Special was the fanciest model in the catalog although a couple of more ornate models were available by special order. This model boasts exquisite pearl inlay, heel carvings and wooden marquetry. The neck and shell are made of maple and the gold friction pegs have solid pearl buttons.